WHEREAS,  financial education is essential to ensuring that students, young adults and families are prepared to effectively budget, manage, save and invest money; and

WHEREAS,  the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is celebrating 10 years of demonstrated leadership in supporting financial education learning opportunities and outreach for students and educators through free training, classroom resources and innovative programs; and

WHEREAS,  the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a past recipient of the prestigious State Coalition of the Year Award from the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy for its initiatives and efforts in advancing, and support of, personal financial education in Maine; and

WHEREAS,  the 9th annual Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference, to be held May 11, 2018, provides training to Maine educators, including free resources and best practices for implementation of Maine's learning standards for personal finance, ensuring that all kindergarten to grade 12 students and young adults have the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial stability; and

WHEREAS,  the conference has trained over 1,000 teachers and community educators during the past 8 years and strengthened financial literacy instruction for students and young adults in every region of the State; and

WHEREAS,  the conference and other related events and programs are a collaboration among business, government, nonprofit and financial education organizations, including the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Securities; the Finance Authority of Maine; the Maine Credit Union League; Jobs for Maine's Graduates; and numerous other partners and supporters; and

WHEREAS,  it is important to raise awareness about the conference and highlight the value of supporting Maine youth in becoming financially capable adults in order to fulfill their dreams and aspirations; now, therefore, be it